Pleroma is a term with origins in ancient Greek philosophy and later adopted by various religious and spiritual traditions. The word is derived from the Greek word "πλήρωμα" (pleroma), meaning "fullness" or "completion." Pleroma is primarily known for its usage in Gnostic thought, but it has also been referenced in other contexts.
In Gnosticism, pleroma refers to the divine realm or fullness of existence, often depicted as a higher spiritual reality beyond the material world. It represents the totality of divine power, cosmic consciousness, and divine emanations. Within the pleroma, divine entities known as "aeons" exist in perfect harmony and unity, each embodying different aspects of the divine nature.
In a broader context, pleroma can also refer to the state of complete spiritual awakening or enlightenment. It represents a sense of being fully filled or brimming with divine knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Pleroma implies a state of spiritual fulfillment and completeness, typically sought after in various mystical and transcendent paths.
Outside of Gnosticism and spirituality, pleroma has been used in other domains to depict a state of completion, abundance, or totality. For instance, in the field of physics, pleroma has been employed to describe a theoretical state of fullness or density, such as the "pleromatic universe."
Overall, pleroma encapsulates the concept of wholeness, fullness, and divinity, expressing different dimensions of spiritual, philosophical, and cosmological concepts depending on the particular context in which it is used.
